Obama Focuses on Energy, Flooding on Cedar Rapids Visit
By Justin Foss, Reporter
Presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama speaks in the Eby Fieldhouse at Coe College on Thursday, July 31, 2008, in northeast Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Jul 31, 2008 at 2:05 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 31, 2008 at 5:42 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS - A month ago he postponed his visit because of the flood. On Tuesday, Barack Obama returned as the race for Iowa's electoral votes remains tight.
Presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama talked up his ideas for the economy during the stop.
The man democrats will likely have to represent them in November brought in a pack crowd to Coe College. The visit came on the heels of new criticism from Republicans.
Senator John McCain has new ads out Thursday saying Obama is to blame for high gas prices, because he doesn't approve of drilling off-shore for oil. Obama responded saying drilling won't bring any relief for 20 years, and that relief won't be much.
"That's how America is going to free itself from foreign oil, not short term gimmicks, but a long term sustained, genuine commitment to transforming our energy sector," said Sen. Barack Obama, (D) Illinois.
McCain is also attacking Obama by calling him the biggest celebrity in the world, comparing Obama to people like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, and thus questioning if he can lead.
"I do have to ask my opponent, is that the best you can come up with?" said Obama.
"Is that really what this election is about? Is that what is worthy of the american people?" Obama added.
Obama also talked about flooding on Thursday. He said after visiting Cedar Rapids multiple times since his president campaign started, he's grown an attachment to this city. Obama visited the National Czech and Slovak Museum on Thursday morning to talk about the flood.
"And so when I was watching the floods happen, I felt that was my community, my neighborhoods. That's why I made sure me office is working closely with Senator Harkin's office and Senator Grassley's office to accelerate and put on a fast track the assistance this needed from the federal government," said Obama.
Late Wednesday night Senator Harkin's office said he is proposing a bill that would send ten billion dollars to the midwest for flood recovery. But, soon congress will go into recess until September, so there most likely won't be any movement on that until they come back.
Republican Candidate John McCain was also in the midwest today. The Arizona Senator held a town hall meeting in Racine, Wisconsin. McCain told supporters despite his opponent's claims to bring change to Washington, his record as a senator did not back it up.
"In the few years he's been in the Senate, he's requested nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel spending for his state. That's nearly a million dollars for every day he's been in Office.My friends, I have never asked for nor received an earmarked pork barrel project for my state, and I never will," said Sen. John McCain, (R) Arizona.
McCain also accused his opponent of playing the "race card" after Obama claimed Republicans will try to scare voters by saying he doesn't look like previous presidents.
John McCain is set to be back in Iowa next month.
The Des Moines Register reports the Arizona Senator and Presidential candidate will be at the State Fair on Friday, August 8th.
Just last month, McCain visited the flood-damaged southeast Iowa town of Columbus Junction.
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